RiFF RAFF to Bring Outrageous Performance to Bluebird

The king of absurdity, cornrows and neon will finally be making an appearance in Denver. That’s right, Mr. Iceberg Simpson, rap game James Franco, Jody Highroller himself, better known as RiFF RAFF (legally known as Horst Simco) will be coming to the Bluebird Theater Wednesday May 21, with opening acts Spencer Foreman and Catch Lungs.

RiFF RAFF is originally from Houston, Texas, but is a stark contrast to the long-established slowed-up screw hip-hop that was made popular in the 90s by DJ Screw and his Screwed-Up Click. RiFF RAFF’s sound, on the other hand, takes itself much less seriously and is just… all sorts of ridiculous. The Third Coast rap scene’s opinion on RiFF RAFF is still debated, but it’s worth noting that fellow Houston rapper Slim Thug will make an appearance on RiFF RAFF’s new album.

RiFF RAFF lyrics at times make zero sense, but are delivered with an unquestionable swagger. It is clear that RiFF RAFF could care less about what all the basics think about him, because whatever it is he is doing seems to be working. With a combination of easily viral videos, party bangers and over-the-top lavishness, he has somehow trolled the whole hip-hop industry by making his comedic freak show style somehow hugely successful. We are all a little horrified, but simultaneously captivated.

For an example of what you can expect from a RiFF RAFF song, here is a lyric from one of his most popular tunes, Dolce and Gabbana (keep in mind how very difficult it was to decide just which lyrics could appropriately encompass all that is RiFF RAFF).

About The Author

Isabel McCan is a young journalist and Colorado transplant who is about to graduate from the University of Denver. She is currently trying to develop all the normal life skills that adults are supposed to have. So far dishes are on lock, but habitual laundry and mowing the lawn… not so much. When she isn’t scribbling up reviews for 303’s music desk or researching grad schools, she likes sketching, Internet-ing, and taking quasi-artistic photos. Follow her on Twitter: @izzymac92 \\ Instagram: @izzymac12 \\ Email her at isabel@303magazine.com.